Source of disease
Dr Abhimanyu Sengupta, Senior Consultant Paediatrician at Ankura Women and Children's Hospital in Pune, India, said: Rainy days lead to increased risk of diseases in children, making it necessary to take precautions to ensure the safety and health of children.
Dr Abhimanyu Sengupta - analysis, temperature changes and cold, humid air can be harmful to children, leading to infections related to the nose and throat as well as respiratory disorders due to allergies that cause airway obstruction.
Mr. Abhimanyu Sengupta lists diseases that children can get during the rainy season including:
Gastrointestinal disease
Street foods prepared in public places or unclean environments where there is a high risk of food contamination are a source of illness. Children consuming these foods can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting, food poisoning.
Respiratory tract infection
Sudden changes in temperature can promote the growth and transmission of respiratory bacteria and weaken children's immune systems.
Heavy rains can contribute significantly to air pollution, which is dangerous for children. When children breathe in this polluted air, they can experience a variety of respiratory problems such as coughing, sore throat, sneezing, wheezing, and colds.
Dengue fever and malaria
Water stored in open containers or buckets for various purposes can become a breeding ground for dangerous mosquitoes like Aedes and Anopheles, which are vectors of dengue and malaria.
If exposed, children may experience a variety of symptoms such as fever, excessive sweating, chills, fatigue, pain behind the eyes, skin irritation, and rash.
Prevention
Talking about tips to protect children from monsoon related diseases, Dr Abhimanyu Sengupta suggests that:
1. Children should avoid wading through rainwater.
2. Keep the surrounding environment clean, do not let water stagnate near the house or in pots, tires, barrels - to reduce the risk of dengue fever and malaria.
3. Wear suitable clothing such as long-sleeved T-shirts with jeans or long pants, which can cover the whole body to avoid mosquito bites.
4. Avoid eating street food or fast food prepared outdoors where there is a high risk of contamination by harmful bacteria; instead, try eating fresh, home-cooked food.
5. Parents must ensure that children have a balanced diet to help boost immunity.
6. Take a shower after coming home from outside, especially when it rains heavily, to wash away bacteria.
7. Do not self-medicate when your child has a fever or cold or try any home remedies. Take your child to the doctor for timely medical attention before the symptoms become more serious.
8. Limit children from frequently touching or rubbing their eyes with dirty and unwashed hands as this can increase the risk of eye infections.
